Stand n Seal spray recall failed to protect consumers
An article yesterday in the New York Times outlines another example of corporations placing profits before the safety of consumers. Despite knowledge that respiratory problems were linked to a dangerous chemical contained in the Stand n Seal Grout Sealer sold at Home Depot stores throughout United States, the product remained on shelves for nearly two years, causing serious problems for hundreds of consumers.
Stand n Seal spray was designed to seal grout around tiles and was sold exclusively at Home Depot. Rather than applying the sealant with a paint brush, the product is contained in a point and spray can. It was advertised as safe for use in confined spaces, with claims that the spray would evaporate harmlessly. In fact, large displays at Home Depot featured a user standing while spraying the bathroom floor with no mask, in front of a closed window.
The waterproofing sealant was originally introduced in 2003 by its manufacturer, Roanoke Companies, which later changed its name to BRTT. In spring 2005, a change in the products formula resulted in a chemical being added which had previously been linked to respiratory injury when used in an aerosol spray can.
Shortly after the reformulation, Roanoke and Home Depot began receiving complaints from users who experienced problems after using the spray. Consumers experienced serious respiratory problems. In many cases the problems required emergency medical treatment and at least two deaths have been tied to use of the spray sealant.
According to the New York Times, internal email messages suggest that Roanoke Company’s own testers experienced problems when using the product. However, the manufacturer downplayed the risk and failed to take any actions to warn consumers or remove the product from store shelves since they did not want to suffer the financial consequences of a recall.
Despite federal law which requires that consumer product makers notify the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) within 24 hours of any known product defects, Roanoke waited weeks before reporting the problems.
In August 2005, the CPSC required a Stand n Seal spray recall for 300,000 cans of the waterproofing sealant. Dozens of consumers were injured by the dangerous spray during the three months between when the company first became aware of injuries and when the CPSC issued the official recall.
Shortly after the recall, 50,000 new cans of Stand n Seal were placed back on Home Depot shelves with claims that the problems had been resolved. However, the replacement cans contained the same chemical, and more consumers suffered serious and potentially fatal injuries.
A complete Stand n’ Seal spray recall occurred in spring 2007, when Home Depot removed the product entirely from the market, over 18 months after the original spray sealant recall and nearly two years after the manufacturer first learned of problems associated with the product.
Several Stand n Seal spray recall lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States by users who suffered permanent damage to their health. The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for individuals who experienced respiratory problems requiring medical treatment after using the spray on sealant. If you, a friend or family member experienced problems, request a free legal consultation.
